Paulstown student meets President Obama on Irish visit 23 May 2011

A moment from the present, but one that will be a part of Paulstown history for years to come. Colm Dunne, who is a student at Paulstown (Scoil Bhride) National School, was selected as one of three children to meet President Barack Obama on his visit to Ireland on 23 May 2011.

After meeting with the President of Ireland, Mary McAleese, President Obama was brought to plant a tree and see the ringing of the peace bell in the garden of Áras an Uachtaráin. The bell was installed in 2008 to mark the 10th anniversary of the Belfast agreement. There President Obama and his wife, Michelle, met with the three children, including Colm.

Later in the day President Obama made his way to Moneygall, Co. Offaly, the home of his ancestor Falmouth Kearney who left Ireland for America in 1850.

Congratulations to Colm, his family and Paulstown National School. You can read more about the occasion and see a picture in an Irish Independent newspaper article here.